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53 KIRKBY THORE (E.b.)

(O.S. 6 in. (a)V, S.W., (b)IX, N.W.)

Kirkby Thore is a parish and village 5 m. N.W.
of Appleby. The church and Kirkby Thore Hall are
the principal monuments.

Roman

b(1). Fort (Braboniacum). The existence of a
Roman fort here is demonstrated by the discovery of
Roman structures and relics, and by the evidence of
the Notitia Dignitatum and the second Antonine
Itinerary. From the Itinerary it is clear that the name
of the place was BRABONIACUM, and the Notitia
gives the garrison as a numerus defensorum. The tombstone of a retired Roman officer in Numidia vaguely
indicates the presence of a cavalry regiment here
(Brauniaco) at some uncertain date (C.I.L. VIII, 4800;
E.E. VII, 955). Visible remains of the fort are few
and in part doubtful. To the W. of the village, in
the S.E. angle between the main Penrith-Appleby road
and Piper Lane, the rounded corner of a rampart with a
maximum external height of nearly 9 feet can be seen.
About 50 yards N.E. of the corner, a slight depression
some 20 feet across may indicate the site of an entrance.
The further plan of the work cannot now be traced
on the surface, but the opposite (E.) angle of it may
be represented by an escarpment in a field 500 yards
S.E. of the parish church. This escarpment extends
with a slight outward curve for nearly 150 yards from
S.W. to N.E., and its line appears to turn towards the
N.W. and to be followed approximately by a fieldboundary on the opposite side of the road.

This area, known as the Burwens hill, has produced
dressed stones, pottery and other finds since the 17th
century. Field-walls hereabouts contain many Roman
stones, some chamfered, others with shallow channels
cut lengthwise across them, whilst two niches, forming
an ornamental feature of the front wall of the Council
Houses' garden, incorporate flanged tiles, fragments of
amphoræ, and part of a cornice. It was apparently
within this area that about 1687 Mr. Machell carried
out excavations which are described as follows by
Nicolson and Burn (379):—

"the square inclosure, called the High Burwens, seems
to have been the area [of the fort], containing eight
score yards in diameter, now ploughed and cultivated;
and the outer buildings, mantle and gardens, to have
run down along the said rivulet [the Troutbeck] at
least as far as the fulling mill, and possibly further,
beyond the high street or Roman way; thence up the
west side of the said street about eight score yards, and
thence again in a straight line to the west angle of the
said area. For in all these places the vestigia of it may
be discovered, by conduits underground; subterraneous vaults; fair pavements of floors made with
flags; tiles and slates with iron nails in them, by which
they have been fastened; but principally by the
foundations of walls, both of brick and stone; as also
coins, altars and urns, with other fictilia, often found
thereabouts.

"The said Mr. Machell, in the year 1687, in a search
there, found among the rifled foundations a fourfold
wall, made up of four walls jumped together and as
it were united into one. They were made of hewn
stone, each wall being two feet and four inches thick,
so that the whole was nine feet and four inches. The
outermost wall was strongly cemented to the very
foundation with the best Roman mortar, seeming to be
a composition, of lime, gravel and brick. The other
three had their foundations first laid in clay, and then
in a coarser sort of lime. And underneath all, was a
pavement of cobble-stones to make the foundation
more firm and durable. . . . Some leaden pipes were
also found and a drain through the quadruple wall to
carry off the water. . . . There was also found divers
chambers, or arched vaults underground; with floors
flagged with stone or paved with brick."

Kirkby Thore, Plan Showing Roman Sites

Machell also discovered a well, apparently woodlined, beneath the street near the bridge on the N. side
of the beck and "about ten yards from the Roman
road which leads to Carlisle." Roman pottery,
perhaps second century, including both Samian and
coarse ware, and a number of sandals were found.
(Philosophical Transactions, No. 158, 1684, pp. 555 f., and
plate opposite p. 551.)

In the demolition of the old bridge at Kirkby Thore
in 1838 many Roman objects, including brooches,
coins and fragments of bronze were found "embedded
and firmly contracted in a concrete mass" (Archæologia, XXXI, 281 f.). These finds were subsequently
dispersed. At present the principal owners are the
British Museum, the Chesters and Tullie House
Museums, Miss Cumpston of Barton Hall, and Mr. F. R.
Markham of Morland House; there are also a few
objects in the Kendal Museum.

Nicolson and Burn also record the finding of cremation-burials of Roman date "at Machel's Bank ten
yards from the Roman road." In the Museum of
Lowther Castle there are fragments (Plate 3) of six
funeral slabs and a stone fir-cone, from Kirkby Thore,
but their exact find-spot is not known.

The following coins are known to have been found
in or about the site:—Mr. F. R. Markham's collection
contains the following: Mark Antony (?) 1, Nero 1,
Vespasian 1, Domitian 2, Uncertain first century 2,
Trajan 1, Hadrian 1, Antoninus Pius 1, Commodus 1.
The report of the demolition of the bridge (Archæologia,
XXXI, 281) states that the coins found date from the
time of Vespasian to that of Alexander Severus. A
hoard of 157 denarii was found in 1882 near the Maiden
way: Nero 2, Galba 1, Otho 1, Vitellius 2, Vespasian
11, Titus 4, Nerva 1, Trajan 27, Hadrian 35, Antoninus
29, Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius 3, Marcus Aurelius
13, Verus 6; Sabina 6, Faustina I 13, Faustina II 5,
Lucilla 3, Crispina 1. (Arch. Æliana, 2nd Ser., VI,
196.)

The total evidence thus available does not justify
many conclusions. The coins suggest the possibility
that the occupation began in the latter part of the 1st
century, and that it was continued at least until the
beginning of the 3rd century; whilst the Notitia may
be taken to imply that the site was held in the 4th
century. Permanent masonry buildings existed on
the Burwens hill, and the description of Machell's
exploration here suggests that they included a granary
with the multiple sleeper-walls upon which the floors
of these structures were frequently supported.

Whether the escarpment on the eastern slope of the
Burwens hill formed a part of the earthwork at Piper
Lane must be regarded as doubtful, since on a reasonably symmetrical plan the area thus enclosed would be
about 36 acres, which far exceeds the area of a roadside
fort. It might be suggested that the site was originally
that of a large "labour-camp" such as those which
occupied comparable areas at Crackenthorpe and Rey
Cross; and that the permanent fort subsequently
occupied only the more dominant part of the original
enclosure. The position of the entrance—if such it
be—near the western angle by Piper Lane is consistent
with the plan of a fortification of this kind, with a
series of entrances at short intervals. The proximity
of the site, however, to Crackenthorpe makes the
general supposition difficult, and the whole matter
must be left open pending further discoveries.

Ecclesiastical

b(2). Parish Church of St. Michael stands at the
N. end of the village. The walls are of sandstone
rubble and rough ashlar with dressings of the same
material; the roofs are slate-covered. The lower part
of the West Tower was built in the 12th century and the
Chancel was probably re-built at the end of the same
century with a chapel on the S. side; the Nave is
probably of the same date. The chancel was extended
to the E. early in the 13th century and late in the same
century the N. arcade was built and the N. aisle added.
Late in the following century the chancel was
heightened, the North Aisle largely re-built, and the
South Porch probably added. The tower was heightened
probably early in the 16th century. The church was
restored in the 19th century and the North Vestry is
modern.

The late 17th-century fittings are noteworthy.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (33½ ft. by
13¼ ft.) has a modern E. window but flanking and below
it are the jambs and sills of three early 13th-century
windows. In the N. wall is a late 14th-century window
of two trefoiled ogee lights in a square head with a
moulded label; the 14th-century doorway to the
vestry has chamfered jambs and two-centred head;
further W. is a late 14th-century doorway with moulded
jambs, two-centred head and label; it is now blocked.
In the S. wall is a 14th-century window of two trefoiled
lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a
moulded label; it has partly destroyed, and is set
in the blocking of, a late 12th-century round arch with
remains of a chamfered impost; to the E. and W. of
this feature are blocked 14th or 15th-century square-headed windows, the eastern one having a moulded
label; immediately W. of it are remains of a small
13th-century single-light window. The chancel-arch
is modern.

The Nave (36 ft. by 17¼ ft.) has a late 13th-century N.
arcade of two bays with two-centred arches of two
chamfered orders; the pier is quatre-foiled with
filleted shafts, moulded capitals and bases; the responds
have each an attached shaft similar to one of the shafts
of the pier; E. of the arcade is a small opening with a
two-centred head, cut through the wall. In the S.
wall are three windows, the two eastern of late 14th-century date and similar to the N. window in the chancel,
the westernmost window is of the 13th century and of
lancet-form; the plastered S. doorway has chamfered
jambs and two-centred head; high up in the wall at
the E. end is a blocked square-headed window, probably
to light the former rood-loft.

The North Aisle (9¾ ft. wide) has an E. window
similar to the N. window in the chancel. In the N.
wall are three windows, the easternmost similar to
the E. window and the others apparently all modern;
further W. is a blocked 14th-century window of one
trefoiled ogee light. In the W. wall is a modern
window.

The West Tower (9½ ft. by 13¼ ft.) is of three storeys
with an embattled parapet, pinnacles at the angles and
a small 17th-century gabled bell-cote with two openings
on the E. parapet. On a merlon of the S. parapet is a
shield-of-arms with supporters of Wharton impaling
Kirkby. The lower half of the tower is probably of
the 12th century and the upper part an early 16th-century rebuilding. The two-centred tower-arch, of
two chamfered orders, is plastered but may be of the
14th-century, but the plain responds and chamfered
imposts are of the 12th-century. The 14th-century W.
window is of two trefoiled ogee lights with a quatrefoil
in a two-centred head with a moulded label; below it
is a blocked doorway. The second storey has, in the
N. and W. walls, a small square-headed window. The
bell-chamber has, in the E., S. and W. walls a late
14th-century window of two trefoiled ogee lights in a
square head. In the N. wall is a window of two
square-headed lights.

Kirkby Thore, the Parish Church of St Michael

The South Porch is perhaps of the 14th century and
has an outer archway formerly with hollow-chamfered
jambs and two-centred head.

Fittings—Bell: one, inscribed in 'black-letter'
with crowns over the initials, etc. "O. Treni-Ihctas unus Deus miserere nobis," probably cast at York
c. 1450. Brackets: In chancel—on E. wall, two shaped
corbels with shields-of-arms of Wharton impaling
Machell and Wharton impaling Lancaster; on E. wall
of N. aisle, similar corbel with arms probably of
Warcop, early 17th-century. Brass: In chancel—on
N. wall, stone tablet with side-pilasters and pediment,
brass inscription to Sir John Dalston, 1692. Chest:
In nave—small, with enriched front and ends, 17th-century, set on modern legs. Communion Rails: incorporating late 17th-century turned balusters and a
strip with the inscription "Collegii Reg. Oxon. socius
An. R. Caroli II xxxv Reg. M.A. A. Sac. et ecclesiae de
Kirkbythore D.D. Tho. Machell Rector." Communion
Table: with turned and enriched legs and top rails
with strap-ornament, late 17th-century. Font: octagonal
moulded bowl (Plate 44) with shield-of-arms of Machell,
moulded stem and spreading moulded base, set up in
1688. Cover: of oak and of conical form with moulded
ribs and turned finial, late 17th-century. Glass: In
chancel—in S. window, fragments of tabernacle-work,
foliage, diaper and inscription, also part of a figure of
Christ in judgment, mostly 15th-century. In N. aisle—
in E. window, fragments and two shields-of-arms of
Wharton and Threlkeld, probably 15th-century. Monuments: In churchyard—against S. wall of chancel,
(1) to Lancelot Robinson, 1709 and John Robinson,
1712–3, slab; S.W. of porch, (2) to John Dobson,
1712, headstone. Piscina: In chancel—recess with
trefoiled head, 14th-century, modern drain. Plate:
includes cup and cover-paten of 1633, a 17th-century
pewter paten, with the arms of Bird and an early 18th-century pewter flagon Pulpit: made up of 17th-century work, with the date 1631, of two panelled
stages and five sides of an octagon, lower panels with
enriched arches, upper panels with strap-work, posts
with carved flowers and standing figures, or, in one
case, an enriched pilaster. Miscellanea: In chancel—
in N. wall, stone with a shield-of-arms of Machell; on
S. wall, similar stone with the arms of Clifford impaling
Vipont, 17th-century; re-set in blocked opening in
S. wall, externally, foiled head with a shield-of-arms of
Wharton, 15th-century.

Condition—Good.

Secular

b(3). Kirkby Thore Hall, 500 yards S.E. of the
church, is of two storeys; the walls are of rubble
and the roofs are slate-covered. It was built in the
14th century and the hall-block, formerly of one storey,
with the solar-wing still remain. There is no evidence
of a corresponding buttery-wing but the N.E. end of
the hall-block, which it presumably adjoined, may have
been partly reconstructed. A bay-window was added
to the hall in the 16th century and the upper floor was
inserted in the 17th century. There are later additions
on the S.E. side.

The house formerly belonged to the Wharton family
and is an interesting example of a 14th-century
building.

Kirkby Thore Hall

The N.W. Front (Plate 15) of the solar-wing has an
original window, at the first-floor level, of two trefoiled
and transomed lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred
head; it is now blocked but retains an iron grate;
below it is a 16th-century window of three lights with
a square head and a moulded label. The hall-block has
a 16th-century bay-window of five transomed lights on
the front and two on the return; further N.E. is an
18th-century doorway set in the blocking of a 16th-century window and above it is a 17th-century window
of three lights. The S.E. side has, in the gable of the
solar-wing, a panel with the arms of Wharton; the hallblock retains an original window of two transomed and
trefoiled ogee lights in a square head with a moulded
label and blank shields in the spandrels. Inside the
building, the hall (25¼ ft. by 21¼ ft.) has an inserted
ceiling with exposed beams; in the S.W. wall is an
original doorway with a shouldered head and adjoining
it is a wall-staircase to the upper floor of the wing.
The roof of the hall is of three bays with two original
trusses of collar-beam type with curved braces below
the collar-beams and a shaped cutting of the beams
above the collar. The original roof of the solar-wing
is of three bays with four trusses; these have curved
principals below the collars and short king-posts above.

Condition—Good.

a(4). Hale, cottage 1,200 yards N. of the church, is
of two storeys; the walls are of rubble and the roofs
are slate-covered. In the S.W. wall is a panel with the
initials and date B. and M.R. 1680 and there are two
mullioned windows of this date. Inside the building
is a fireplace with a corbelled lintel and cornice.